THE FLATS – Georgia Tech baseball sophomore catcher Kevin Parada and sophomore first baseman Andrew Jenkins earned Collegiate Baseball All-American honors for their outstanding seasons, it was announced Thursday.
Parada was named a first-team All-American, while Jenkins was named a second-team All-American. Parada was one of just three representatives on the first team from the Atlantic Coast Conference, while Jenkins joined just two other ACC hitters on the second team.
A semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, Dick Howser Trophy and Buster Posey Award, Parada has had a sensational sophomore campaign for Georgia Tech, ranking among the nation’s best in almost every offensive category. He enters the NCAA Tournament ranking sixth with a school-record 26 home runs and second in total bases (174), while ranking third in RBI (85), fifth in runs (74) and 35th in hits (85). In the Atlantic Coast Conference, Parada leads in runs and RBI, ranks third in home runs and fourth in hits and is the fourth-toughest hitter to strikeout in the league.
Jenkins closed the season continuing to showcase himself as one of the greatest threats out of the ACC at the plate, earning first-team All-ACC honors. Jenkins leads the ACC in hits (91), is second in batting average (.386), third in doubles (20), fourth in total bases (164), and 10th in RBI (63). Where he has been most impressive is in conference action. Just against league opponents this season, Jenkins hit .404 (third) and slugged .765 (second), while leading the ACC in hits (55) and runs (40) while ranking seventh in home runs (12).
As successful in the classroom as he is on the field, Jenkins was also named CoSIDA Academic All-District this year, earning a 3.79 grade-point average in the business administration program at Georgia Tech.
Georgia Tech’s season continues into the postseason as it readies for the Knoxville Regional, joining top-ranked Tennessee, Campbell and Alabama State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Jackets’ opening game in on June 3 at noon ET against Campbell and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and WREK 91.1 FM.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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